This week's free game: 'Science Kombat' 1
Giving the phrase "video game nerds" brand new meaning, flash game "Science Kombat" combines the best of your textbooks with the thrill of 2-D fighting.
The Tech Deck
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2016
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2016
Favorite Generic Roleplaying Systems
There is a fourth hidden genre of games. One that is more potent, accessible and unbound. Instead of bending players to fit its universe, this genre is designed to kowtow to the will of the players. It is the generic. It is the universal. All are one in this game genre. The only restriction is imagination.
This week's free game: "Centipede"
Atari has released a cutesy version of its 1980 arcade classic as part of its remastered collection.
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016
Atypical Science Fiction RPGs
In the cold darkness of corporation-run space, there are only PCs and NPCs. Laws sometimes apply and technology is occasionally called magic or biotics. Things are pretty awesome but often in a terrible way. Science fiction gives us a glimpse into what might come to be and I love it dearly. Here are some Sci-Fi games you might not have heard of.
MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016
'Automatron' a satisfying - but not filling - addition to 'Fallout 4'
The first piece of downloadable content for Fallout 4 scratches my itch to return to the Commonwealth, but only for a weekend's worth of game time.
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2016
Uncommon Modern RPGs
Not every game takes place in a far off land…in space…with elves… Some take place here and now, sometimes there’s magic, sometimes Germany won WW2, sometimes you’re a few years in the past as little kids, and sometimes it’s just you as the world comes to an end. Regardless, we live in interesting times and they shouldn’t be ignored.
'Broforce' brings old-school gaming, action movies together
Indie shoot-em-up Broforce, from South African developer Free Lives, oozes with personality the moment you press start. But its mechanics, load times and frame rate hiccups mar an otherwise solid shooting experience.
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2016
This week's free game: 'Bullfight'
The oft-maligned practice of bullfighting came to arcades in an era where cabinets tasked you with all kinds of crazy roles.
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016
Fantasy RPG suggestions 2
If you dream of the clashing of swords, the searing fire of a dragon, and the rise and fall of kingdoms, then perhaps you’d enjoy an RPG in a fantasy themed setting. It just so happens I’ve got a list of my favorite ones right here in this blog post.
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016
This week's free game: 'Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault'
Before Call of Duty, there was Medal of Honor. Electronic Arts' first-person shooter franchise, which spent most of its time in the World War II era, released Pacific Assault in 2003 focused on the eastern campaign. You can download it for free from EA's Origin service.
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016
This week's free game: "Zaxxon"
Isometric shooting at its arcade finest, Zaxxon was an early title from Sega lauded for its early graphics and gameplay.
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016
This week's free game: "SkiFree"
The skiing season is almost over in the Inland Northwest, but you can still get your kicks on the slopes with this 1991 classic that shipped with the Microsoft Entertainment Pack.
MONDAY, FEB. 29, 2016
This week's free game: "Minefield"
No, not Minesweeper. This dual-stick arcade classic from Stern Electronics puts you in the cockpit of a battle tank besieged by air and ground enemies, as well as the titular mines.
TUESDAY, FEB. 23, 2016
Off-the-charts fun with "The Nathan Drake Collection"
In the world of remasters, Naughty Dog's treasure-hunting, continent-hopping Uncharted series offers new initiates a treasure trove's worth of fun.
MONDAY, FEB. 22, 2016
This week's free game: "MariO"
We've got something a little different for you this week. In the style of the mash-up, indie developers from StabYourself.net created "MariO," a mix between Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. and Valve's Portal. Yes, you want to play it.
TUESDAY, FEB. 16, 2016
Podcast, Wednesday story profile owners of new Spokane arcade/church
Tim and Tyler Arnold opened "Jedi Alliance" two weeks ago, offering toys, comics and - yes - a fully realized video arcade featuring more than 40 cabinets and 12 pinball machines.
MONDAY, FEB. 15, 2016
This week's free game: "Hunchback"
French Romance novels aren't usually the stuff of video games. But that's exactly why you inherit the role of Quasimodo in this 1983 arcade title.
MONDAY, FEB. 8, 2016
This week's free game: "Need for Speed Most Wanted" 2
Electronic Arts has released the 2012 open-world entry in the racing franchise as part of its "On the House" promotion.
FRIDAY, FEB. 5, 2016
MONDAY, FEB. 1, 2016
This week's free game: "Dink Smallwood"
If you like Zelda, but think the dialogue is a bit too dry, then Dink Smallwood may be for you. The 1998 action RPG follows the exploits of a modest pig farmer trying to save his world, and a high definition version can be downloaded for free today!
MONDAY, JAN. 25, 2016
This week's free game: "Cool Spot"
Oh, the joys of product placement and cross-promotion. This Sega Game Gear platformer put you in the shoes and gloves of 7-Up's mascot, designed to make the fizzy drink appealing to youngsters.
THURSDAY, JAN. 21, 2016
Violence in gaming and my 'Black Ops 3' conundrum 1
Treyarch's latest entry in the blockbuster shooting franchise "Call of Duty" ends with a puzzling sequence of firefights that shows the dissonance between what developers are trying to do and what their audience demands of them.
MONDAY, JAN. 18, 2016
This week's free game: "Bio Menace"
We highlighted Commander Keen a few weeks ago. Now, download for free another sidescroller built on its engine, "Bio Menace," from the folks at Great Old Games!
THURSDAY, JAN. 14, 2016
The force is semi-strong with 'Star Wars: Battlefront' 3
A dearth of features and maps doesn't stop EA Dice's Star Wars-themed shooter from being one of the most fun ways to pretend you're a foot soldier - or a hero - in that most intergalactic of conflicts.
